July to ride high on tides

Of the 27 high tide days, eight days that could have spelled disaster for the Mumbaikars, had they clubbed with heavy rain, have passed in June itself. However, July 5 is one of the remaining 19 days, where the tide will be at its highest, at 4.83 metres. Though high tides on remaining days are also expected to cross the danger mark of 4.5 metres, none will be as high as that on July 5, say BMC officials.

“It is still a matter of concern because this day can prove disastrous. We can predict the tide level but not the amount of rainfall. Albeit, we have taken all necessary precautions and closed the outfalls during high tides, the rainfall alone can still cause flooding. If so, the we will mobilise all our services and pumping stations,” Joint Municipal Commissioner (Disaster Management) S S Shinde said.

Though the chances of situation getting out control due to fatal combination of rain and high tides can’t be ruled out, BMC officials are confident that the pre-monsoon work undertaken by the corporation is enough to avert flood-like situation in the city. “There shouldn’t be much of a problem as areas prone to flooding have been taken care of as both the pumping stations — Irla pumping station and Haji Ali pumping station — have been activated. Apart for this, all the low-lying areas, where chances of flooding are high, have been installed with water pumps to keep the water out.”